Antifriction spring connection



Dec. 16, 1930. R. R. SEARLES ,785

ANTIFRICTION SPRING CONNECTION Filed Jan. 29, 1925 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 16, 1930 "um'rsu gs'rA'rss RAYMOND-It. SEARLES, or NEWIBRITAIN,

'BEARING COMPANY, or NEW BRITAIN; oommorrour; A CORPORATION or 0011- 1 NEo'rIo'or PA Eurorries CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE FAFNIR ANTIFRIGTION SPRING CONNECTION Application filed January 29, 1925. Serial No. 5,624.

My invention relates to a spring end connection whereby a vehicle spring is connected,

to the vehicle frame orthe like.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a simple, sturdy form of anti-friction spring end connection which will be cheap to manufacture and easy to assemble. Other minor objects'will be apparent as the specification proceeds. y

In the drawings which show for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary end view of a spring end and vehicle frame and showing 1 one form of spring end connectionin central section.

Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation of parts shown in Fig. 1.

, Fig; 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a I slightly modified form.

In said drawings 5 indicates a. portion of a vehicle frame, while 6 designates a portion 2 of a vehicle spring which is connected to the frame by means of the improved spring end connection to be described. In the preferred form the frame is provided with recesses, bores or seats 77, formed in bosses 8-8, on

v the sides of the frame 5. A pin or journal 9 I is secured in the sprlng eye 10 in any suitable manner as by shrinking or other means such as a pin 11.. The ends of this pin project laterally from the sides of the spring'eye andextend into the recesses 77.in the frame bosses. In the specific illustration the ends of the pin are reduced in section as indicated at12 for the purpose of forming seats for anti-friction members such as balls 1313. While it is notvin all cases necessary to form the seats or raceways 1212 directly upon the pin ends, this form of construction is cheap to manufacture and serviceable in use. In order to provide seats for the anti-friction V. 4 members 13-13 complementary to the seats 1212 there are preferably provided antifriction race rings or bearing cups 1414 seated in the recesses 77. It will be seen that the bearing surfaces on the race rings 14: and on the pin ends 1212 form in eflfect an angular contact hearing so that both radial and end thrusts are taken by the balls. 1 The outer ends of the recesses 77 are closed by suitable means such as end caps .15-15 which in the form shown abut the outer ends of the race rings 1414 and serve to hold the latter in proper position of adjustment in the recesses. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, each recess 7 may have an annular internal groove 16 therein which .is located outwardly of the inclined face of the end cap 15. A spring retaining ring 17 is slipped into the groove 16 and in expanding. into the groove abuts against the end cap 15 and holds the same in place.

The end caps or abutments 1515 are thus definitely spaced apart a single definite distance in one direction, that is, in a direction against separation. The outer bearing rings 14;- 14= abutting against the abutments 1515 are consequently spaced a corresponding' distance apart. The inner raceways 12-12in this case, upon a unitary pin are spaced a single definite distance apart. Therefore,-when the parts are assembled, the antifriction bearing members will fit the seats with theproper degree of tightness and no adjustments are necessary. This construction facilitates assembly.

As a cOnVenient means for retaining lubricant in the space adjacent the bearing members and for excluding dust and water,

I preferably provide a closure member or dust ring 18 which may be seated on and be secured to the race rings 14-44. These dust rings may be formed of felt, metal or other suitable material and abut or extend up quite closely to thepins 9. It will thus be seen that acompletely enclosed anti-friction hearing is provided at each side of the frame and there is little chance for the escape of lubricant or for the entrance of dust or Water and the bearings will run for long periods without the necessity for cleaning or lubrication.

The halls 13-13 serve to support the frame from the spring without, however, any direct connection between these two elements and both radial and thrust loads are taken up by the balls themselves.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4: the

' construction is substantially the same asthat previously described except that each end 7 cap or plug is threaded into the end of the recess 7 inthe boss 8 and may beheld in an adjusted position .by means of aset; screw or the like. The construction sh'ownfin Fig. 4: permits of adjustment. The opera:

tion of the form shown in Fig. 4 is the same 7 as in the "previously describedforml While theinvention has been describedin great detail,- I do not wish to be limited to the exact forms shown sinoe'changesinaybe made within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. Iclaimz: V

p 7 1. In a spring end connection, Y a frame part having spaced apart seats for bearing cups, bearingcups insaid seats and insertit .4 .ble axially thereof bearingl pinlmeans to II I f besecured ,to a spring and-project beyond by each bearing cup and extending to and surrounding said projectingends of'said pin means so as to close the annular space betweensaidbearing cups and said pin' means extending there1nto,- and means for retains in-g said bearing cups inplace 1n sald seats.

2.1n a-spring end oonnectio na frame part having spaced apart bosses with aligned bores therein, bearing cups in saidbores and insertible axially thereof, bearing pin means to be secured to a spring and projeot'beyond v i L the sides thereof, the ends of said pin means extending into said bearing cups and-having bearing raceways formed directly there 1 on, antifriction bearing members interposed between said bearing cups and the ends of I saidpin means, a lubricant retainingand dust excluding closure ring carried bodily by each bearing cup and extending to andv surrounding said projecting ends. of said pin. means so as to close theannular space between saidzbearing cups and said pin means extending thereinto, andthreaded plugs screwed into said bores for retaining said bearing cups therein. r RAYMOND SEARLES. 

